TOKYO—Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. has launched a global marketing program for its cold- and impact-resistant conveyor belts.
The new product launch is part of the company's strategy for capturing demand from the natural resources development market, the firm said. Expansion into the world's coldest areas, such as the Arctic region, where mining is extremely difficult, is increasing the need for conveyor belts that are able to stand up to harsh conditions, it said.
Yokohama said it has been focusing on meeting the demand in those areas by developing belts with specifications suitable to extremely cold conditions. One conveyor belt with the brand name ICEGUARD AR was designed for oil sand mining in Canada, and the product stood out, the firm said. The company has decided to launch global sales of the belt.
Negotiations are currently underway with potential users of the conveyor belts in cold regions worldwide, and the company anticipates that it will expand sales of the product in the future.